Does Michael Bay survive his first stint out of the shadows of Bruckheimer?

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2005)

There are many out there who despise anything and everything even remotely associated with the name "Michael Bay". I definitely cannot be placed in that category. I simply love his work to the extent of liking even his sappy, cliché filled take on the Japanese attack on "Pearl Harbor". Admit it, it had its moments.
Finally stepping out of the shadows of his mentor and producer Jerry Bruckheimer Bay takes a step in the right direction by focusing more on the human elements in this sci-fi tale and less on the "bang 'em up" style of action film-making he has become renowned (and sometimes critisised) for.
"The Island" tells the story of a cloning facility where clones are bred specifically for the purpose of providing organs for their "buyers" in the real world outside. This truth is carefully concealed from the clones. It is only when Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) stats having nightmares and doubts about his existence that he uncovers the secrets of the facility.
The name of a director or star attached to a movie can often lead to many false and high expectations from viewers. Take for example a very recent case - take a very successful director with an unchallenged box-office record in the sci-fi genre, couple that with possibly the worlds box-office draw and give them a classic sci-fi novel to film. Fans expected a big sci-fi extravaganza with the usual "darn Yankee's saving the world" storyline. Sadly they didn't get it. Instead the got a more character driven story with the special effects and explosions shoved into the background. End Result? Unsatisfied moviegoers.
This is the same problem the usual Bruckheimer/Bay audience will get when first watching this movie. It's only natural for one to expect over-the-top action sequences from the first frame to the last. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, as mentioned earlier Bay decides to pay more attention to plot & character development.
Does that mean the adrenaline junkie will be left out in the cold? Hell No! When the need arises Bay is not shy to show-off his new set of tricks without being far too excessive like he did in his last stint behind the camera on 2003's "Bad Boys II". He is to me the best American director who can shoot American style action. I don't mean the rip-off Hong Kong film techniques with all the slow motion, wire-work and gun play. This is good old' American action with death defying chases, explosions and special effects. There has never been a moment in any one of his movies where the action looks out of place, fake or unnecessary. Sure go ahead and mention the terrible scenes on the meteor from "Armageddon", jackass.
Here he ups the ante every chance he gets. He even manages to top the car chase sequence from "Bad Boys II". The sequence is thrilling and flawlessly captured. The "Transformers" movie adaptation is going to benefit from having his name attached to it.
I was never crazy for the plot when I first heard of it and true indeed the whole movie feels like an amalgamation of multiple sci-fi movies. The genre is vast with possibilities yet most Hollywood movies continue to take the same old path. However, writers Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci should be credited for getting the elements packaged perfectly. By the time the end credits roll the viewer what he/she paid for - a good story, action and a believable climax.
All this is good and dandy but credit should also be awarded to the actors who lift this movie from being another run-of-the-mill tent pole extravaganza. Ewan McGregor once again proves why he is one of the best actors this generation has. I don't think many, if any, actors could have pulled the doppelganger act as well as he does.
I've only seen Scarlett Johansson in one movie ("In Good Company") and it was hard to judge her performance in that movie due to the limited scope her character got. Here she plays Jordan Two Delta, one half of the lead pair. After her initial appearance in this movie I was worried she would sink it. Her constant gasping, blank stare and lack of emotive abilities bugged me for much of the first act but fortunately she gets into character soon after.
The movie isn't missteps no matter how minor. Believe they are very minor but noticeable nonetheless. My first gripe with the movie is the convenient end to the chase sequence. For someone to survive something like that would really take a miracle. And the "Jesus must love you" excuse just doesn't cut it. You'll understand after you view this movie. The second contains spoilers so I won't share it with you. Just take note that it appears towards the climax.
Those are of course very minor problems I have with the movie. As a whole it is highly entertaining if a little predictable. How I wish they had tackled some of the deeper issues present scarcely throughout the movie. I guess that would just be a little too much, too soon for Michael Bay fans to stomach.